The Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) celebrated a major milestone on September 12, 2024, as 56 young leaders from 18 African countries graduated from the Digital Faith Influencers Program. This initiative reflects the essential role the African Catholic youth play in shaping the future of the Church through digital evangelization and social justice.
Integrating Technology and Faith
In today’s digital age, the Church recognizes the importance of leveraging technology to reach broader audiences. The Digital Faith Influencers Program, which ran from February to August 2024, equipped participants with the skills needed to navigate and evangelize the digital world. As Bishop Godfrey Onah, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized, the digital realm has become a central yet often underutilized platform for spreading the Gospel. The African Catholic youth graduating from this program are now poised to fill that gap, using their digital skills to communicate faith-based values and promote social justice across the continent.
The program covered seven key areas, including Catholic social teaching, digital communication, and transformational leadership. Through these courses, graduates are now prepared to implement faith-based digital projects that will foster community well-being and build bridges across faiths.
Empowering Future Leaders of the African Church
The graduation ceremony was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a call to action for these young leaders. Monsignor Luis Andrea praised the graduates for their creativity and commitment, highlighting their potential to become agents of transformation within the African Church. These young leaders are now tasked with implementing their individual projects within their local communities over the next year, focusing on issues such as youth mentorship, poverty alleviation, and interfaith dialogue.
The ongoing support from mentors, partnering universities, and Church institutions like the Dicastery for Communication ensures that these graduates will continue to grow and make impactful contributions. As part of their journey, they will also prepare presentations for the upcoming 3rd Pan-African Catholic Congress in Abidjan, showcasing the real-world impact of their work.
The Future of African Catholic Youth in Digital Evangelization
The Digital Faith Influencers Program is a testament to PACTPAN’s commitment to empowering African Catholic youth. These graduates are now equipped to harness the power of digital platforms to spread the Gospel, advocate for social justice, and mentor the next generation of leaders. As they step forward into their roles as digital missionaries, their work will shape the future of the African Catholic Church in both local and global contexts.
